StudentShare
Contact Us
Sign In / Sign Up for FREE
Search
Go to advanced search...
Free

Emphysema: The Obstructive Diseases of the Lungs - Case Study Example

Cite this document
Summary
"Emphysema: The Obstructive Diseases of the Lungs" paper tells about diseases of the lungs in which the tissues around the alveoli, which support the physical structure and function of the lungs, are damaged. This results in impeded airflow and air getting trapped, exhibited by shortness of breath. …
Download full paper File format: .doc, available for editing
GRAB THE BEST PAPER96.2% of users find it useful
Emphysema: The Obstructive Diseases of the Lungs
Read Text Preview

Extract of sample "Emphysema: The Obstructive Diseases of the Lungs"

The chemicals released in the response disintegrate the alveolar septum, hence deforming the mechanical architecture of the lungs and increasing the cavities between the alveoli. With the reduction of alveoli surface area, there is reduced ventilation of the surrounding parenchyma (Webb & Higgins, 2005). The thoracic cage expands and the diaphragm contracts to compensate for the reduced surface area. With increased alveoli breakdown, the body cannot maintain enough oxygen in the blood. Vasoconstricting then takes place, with a risk of leading to hypertension, which strains the right side of the heart that pumps deoxygenated blood to the lungs (Webb & Higgins, 2005).

  The patient is likely to experience shortness of breath at times. It may be more frequent, including even when he is at rest, depending on the extent of damage to the lungs. An examination will reveal an expansion of the chest’s diameter. His skin will also tend to discolor to a purplish-blue hue (Loscalzo et al, 2008).

   Pneumothorax may be caused by the spontaneous rupture of alveoli, which is a prevalent condition in emphysema. It occurs when there is a constant loss of air from the lung, which then flows into the pleural space without an escape way. It results in the accumulation of air in the space between the lungs and the chest (Loscalzo et al, 2008).

Question Five

  Pneumothorax can hasten respiratory failure in the absence of enough lung reserve to balance the shrunken lung or its segment. Severe pulmonary vascular occlusion results in ventilation-perfusion disparity and respiratory failure due to inadequate blood flow into the still-functioning alveoli. With a massive pulmonary artery embolism, pressure increases on the right side of the heart, causing cardiac dysfunction and hindering the heart from circulating adequate volumes of blood (W. H. O., 2009).

  Care must be taken not to give too much oxygen. Because the patient already has high levels of carbon dioxide in the blood, he depends on oxygen to control how fast he breathes. However, giving too much oxygen will slow down breathing as its level increases, which in turn reduces the exuding of carbon dioxide. The carbon dioxide eventually rises to toxic levels.

  Deep vein thrombosis can be caused by prolonged periods of immobility. That is the forming of blood clots in the leg’s veins, which may find their way to the lungs and cause chest pains and shortness of breath. Use of anticoagulants administered intravenously for five days and then replaced with oral medication, Coumadin, eases the condition. Total physical inactivity also leads to inadequate ventilation. Correct positioning by extending the neck and raising the chin of the chest reduces the risk of poor ventilation. Another complication is muscle weakness, which can be avoided by supporting the thighs and arms spread away from the chest with the patient lying on the back facing up. The diaphragm can thus move easily facilitating deep breathing and coughing effectively  (Webb & Higgins, 2005). 

Question Eight

  During normal breathing, air enters the alveoli through the bronchi. The alveoli then absorb and transfer oxygen to the blood. However, with the occurrence of emphysema, the septal rapture reduces the surface area of the alveoli used for the absorption and transfer of air (Webb & Higgins, 2005). The mechanical support destroyed by the rapture causes the lung elastic recoil to further enlarge the cavities created while reducing the expansion of the parenchyma. Expiration then depends on abdominal muscle and thoracic cage action instead of the lung’s recoil action. Decreased ventilation impairs the ability to give out carbon dioxide and intake of oxygen. Hyperventilation can no longer compensate for the continued damage to the alveoli, and some vessels are thus constricted. As a result, the right side of the heart tasked with pumping deoxygenated blood is under increased pressure. The heart’s muscles thicken to enable it to pump more blood. Because blood flow is also impeded, fluid backs up in the lungs, liver, and lower parts of the body. The heart then continues failing under pressure as it becomes larger (Webb & Higgins, 2005).

  First, the patient must quit smoking for any respiratory therapy to be effective. Then, by use of an oxygen concentrator, oxygen is drawn from the air, concentrated then stored. It is simply plugged into electricity within the home, and he can move around the room. No extra bottles are required (Loscalzo et al, 2008).

  The patient might not receive adequate nutrition at home because it might require a dedicated caregiver, who might not always be available. In his condition, it becomes difficult to shop, prepare and eat the correct foods on his own.

   Employing a permanent caregiver or the use of a family member to nurse him will be helpful. If this is not possible, hospice care is helpful because they offer professional assistance. 

Read More
Cite this document
  • APA
  • MLA
  • CHICAGO
(“Emphysema Case Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words”, n.d.)
Retrieved from https://studentshare.org/health-sciences-medicine/1605585-emphysema
(Emphysema Case Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 Words)
https://studentshare.org/health-sciences-medicine/1605585-emphysema.
“Emphysema Case Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 Words”, n.d. https://studentshare.org/health-sciences-medicine/1605585-emphysema.
  • Cited: 1 times

CHECK THESE SAMPLES OF Emphysema: The Obstructive Diseases of the Lungs

Exact Morphological and Anatomical Changes in the Respective Type of Emphysema

In emphysema, there is the destruction of the tissue responsible for maintaining the physical structure and function of the lungs.... This type is normally seen in the lower lobes of the lungs and grossly the lungs appear to be large and voluminous.... Emphysema is defined according to two standard changes noticed in the lungs, i.... There are four types of emphysema seen and these types are differentiated according to the part of the acinus affected and the gross changes seen in the lungs....
13 Pages (3250 words) Research Paper

The Incidence Rate of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

Still, it refers to a group of diseases that irreversibly limit the airflow to the lungs.... OPD is considered among the diseases of old age, but about 50% of patients with COPD are under the age of 65.... nderstanding the associated diseases, however, can help in dissecting the complex pathophysiology of COPD.... The "The Incidence Rate of Chronic obstructive Pulmonary Disease" tells COPD is not a single entity.... Currently, it is the sixth most common cause of death worldwide, but, according to estimations by the Global Initiative for Chronic obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD), it is expected to rise to the third most common cause of death by 2020....
12 Pages (3000 words) Essay

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

To understand this disease, a comprehension of the working of the lungs would be critical.... To understand this disease, a comprehension of the working of the lungs would be critical.... Even though reversing the damage on the lungs could be almost impossible, appropriate measures could be taken to prevent further damage.... The damage inflicted on the lungs over time, particularly due to smoking, results in the disease.... The damage inflicted on the lungs over time, particularly due to smoking, results in the disease (Currie 2009)....
3 Pages (750 words) Essay

Stages of Emphysema

Chronic exposure to cigarette smoke decreased elasticity of the lungs and destroys the alveoli.... Cigarette smoke affects the immune cells in the lungs which clear mucus and other secretions.... Another cause of emphysema is the deficiency of alpha-1-antitrypsin, a substance that fights a destructive enzyme in the lungs called trypsin.... Air pollution has a similar effect on the lungs like cigarette smoke.... Looking at the chest x-ray results, the doctor can identify changes in the lungs that may indicate emphysema, detect the presence of an infection or a mass in the lung (such as a tumor)....
3 Pages (750 words) Assignment

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

This disease mainly involves the increasing malfunction of the lungs mainly due to building up impediment in the respiratory passages (National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute or NHLBI, 2003).... This paper "Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease" focuses on the fact that one of the diseases of increasing prevalence and causes concern is Chronic Obstructive Disease (COPD).... he prevalence of lung diseases is considered as one of the concerns of the present generation of medical care....
20 Pages (5000 words) Case Study

Emphysema as a Major Form of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

For proper maintenance of the lungs, there needs to be a delicate balance in the activity of protease and antiprotease.... However, it has been generally accepted that emphysema occurs when delicate linings of air sacs that occur in the lungs get irreversibly damaged.... This, according to NIH (2014), occurs due to the gradual destruction of air sacs in the lungs making the patient slowly deprived of breath.... Pathogenesis of emphysema the pathogenesis of emphysema largely remains unclear....
10 Pages (2500 words) Research Paper

The Physiological Consequences of Emphysema

Emphysema is a chronic ailment of the lungs that permanently damages the alveoli in the lungs leading to complications mainly in exhalation (Voikel, 2008).... The anatomy of the lungs undergoes.... The alveoli are small air sacs found in the lungs where the exchange of gasses occurs.... Emphysema is similar to another condition called the chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) that leads to a reduced airflow into the lungs....
5 Pages (1250 words) Research Paper

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

Your airways branch out inside your lungs like an upside-down tree.... Your airways are tubes that carry air in and out of your lungs.... When your airways react, they get narrower and your lungs get less air.... Asthma is treated with two kinds of medicines: Bronchitis is an inflammation of the main air passages (bronchi) to your lungs.... The paper "Chronic obstructive Pulmonary Disease" highlights that machine measures how much air you breathe out....
6 Pages (1500 words) Article
sponsored ads
We use cookies to create the best experience for you. Keep on browsing if you are OK with that, or find out how to manage cookies.
Contact Us